JAMES CITY — — An hour before the memorial service for First Lt. Todd W. Weaver began Saturday afternoon, three members of Westboro Baptist Church, all women, stood quietly at the intersection of John Tyler Highway and Eagle Way holding anti-America signs.
Their message, however, was nearly lost in a sea of American flags held by the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle club and the more than 100 people who gathered at the right-of-way to support the family and friends of the 26-year-old soldier who died in combat in Afghanistan.
For more than an hour the counter protesters waved signs and flags, screamed pro-America chants and sang patriotic tunes in hopes of shielding the church's signs and drowning out the Westboro trio's anti-America songs.
Among the family supporters was Williamsburg resident Megan Moore who held a sign that read, "Son, friend, husband, father, hero…what you done" to honor the memory of her former Bruton High School classmate.
"I want his family to know there are a lot more people out here for him than against him," Moore said.
Watching one the Westboro picketers step on the American flag upset Jerry McCardle, but it made him wave his small one even harder.
"This really makes my blood boil, she's making a mockery of the flag and the country that's giving her the right to be out here and say these things," he said.
Vehicles traveling down John Tyler Highway honked horns and gave thumbs-up signs to the crowd at the intersection, many in it wearing "God is Love" T-shirts. Smaller flags dotted the island at the entrance to the chapel. White signs proclaiming "Support our Troops" lined Eagle Way across from Jamestown High School.
The small Kansas-based Westboro congregation announced its intention on Sept. 23 to picket Weaver's service. The group is known for using protests at soldiers' funerals to claim God hates America.
The news of the congregation's plans to be in James City spread quickly around the community and many people began mobilizing groups to counter protest.
The crowd at the intersection was the largest group in support of Weaver, but several other gatherings formed along John Tyler Highway.
College of William and Mary Law School student Roxy Logan stood along the road with a "God Bless our Troops" sign.
"It's disgraceful what they're doing," Logan said of the Westboro group. "This family should be allowed to bury their family member in peace."
For the most part, the church members and the counter protesters demonstrated peacefully. However, there were times when the two groups battled each other in heated exchanges.
"Go to Iraq or Iran then," shouted one woman as the church members sang one of their songs.
Another person in the crowd quickly urged the woman to keep her composure, telling her "God will judge them in the end."
"I know," the woman said.
Several officers from James City County Police Department were on hand to help with crowd control and make sure the protest remained peaceful, said Chief Emmett Harmon.
Around 2 p.m., the Westboro members packed up their signs, loaded them into a minivan and drove away.
The members departure was met with cheers and song.
"Na na na na na na na. Hey, hey goodbye," the crowd sang as the protestors drove away.
Their message, however, was nearly lost in a sea of American flags held by the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle club and the more than 100 people who gathered at the right-of-way to support the family and friends of the 26-year-old soldier who died in combat in Afghanistan.
For more than an hour the counter protesters waved signs and flags, screamed pro-America chants and sang patriotic tunes in hopes of shielding the church's signs and drowning out the Westboro trio's anti-America songs.
Among the family supporters was Williamsburg resident Megan Moore who held a sign that read, "Son, friend, husband, father, hero…what you done" to honor the memory of her former Bruton High School classmate.
"I want his family to know there are a lot more people out here for him than against him," Moore said.
Watching one the Westboro picketers step on the American flag upset Jerry McCardle, but it made him wave his small one even harder.
"This really makes my blood boil, she's making a mockery of the flag and the country that's giving her the right to be out here and say these things," he said.
Vehicles traveling down John Tyler Highway honked horns and gave thumbs-up signs to the crowd at the intersection, many in it wearing "God is Love" T-shirts. Smaller flags dotted the island at the entrance to the chapel. White signs proclaiming "Support our Troops" lined Eagle Way across from Jamestown High School.
The small Kansas-based Westboro congregation announced its intention on Sept. 23 to picket Weaver's service. The group is known for using protests at soldiers' funerals to claim God hates America.
The news of the congregation's plans to be in James City spread quickly around the community and many people began mobilizing groups to counter protest.The crowd at the intersection was the largest group in support of Weaver, but several other gatherings formed along John Tyler Highway.
College of William and Mary Law School student Roxy Logan stood along the road with a "God Bless our Troops" sign.
"It's disgraceful what they're doing," Logan said of the Westboro group. "This family should be allowed to bury their family member in peace."
For the most part, the church members and the counter protesters demonstrated peacefully. However, there were times when the two groups battled each other in heated exchanges.
"Go to Iraq or Iran then," shouted one woman as the church members sang one of their songs.
Another person in the crowd quickly urged the woman to keep her composure, telling her "God will judge them in the end."
"I know," the woman said.
Several officers from James City County Police Department were on hand to help with crowd control and make sure the protest remained peaceful, said Chief Emmett Harmon.
Around 2 p.m., the Westboro members packed up their signs, loaded them into a minivan and drove away.
The members departure was met with cheers and song.
"Na na na na na na na. Hey, hey goodbye," the crowd sang as the protestors drove away.
